Menu Please Bistro at Taman Maju Jaya near Plaza Pelangi in Johor Bahru

Jayson the boss of Menu Please Bistro invited me to try their "Signature Dishes Sharing Set Meal". The idea is for two persons to share a set consisting of a pair of Menu Please's signature dishes. Jayson let me try "Set D" with the Oriental Duck Pizza and Braised Lamb Shank as the main courses. The Set D costs RM65.80 nett.



That's Jayson the boss, on the right taking orders. Co-incidentally, that's my friend Jason and his family :D



Jayson is a SHATEC graduate and he had worked in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands Hotel before returning to JB to set up Menu Please Bistro.

Let's start our dinner.



The opening course is a choice of either the Soup of the Day or a salad. As I had tried Menu Please's tomato soup during my previous visit, Jayson let me try the salad.

Jayson's willingness to experiment is reflected in this salad. The jumble of shredded carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, fried tofu and beansprouts is stuffed in a glass jar. At the bottom of the jar is a tangy, spicy, drippy Thai sauce and on top is a paste-like peanutty, sweet and savoury satay sauce. The idea is to screw on the jar cover, and then mix and blend everything by shaking the jar vigorously. Pour out and serve on a plate after mixing.

It's an interesting mix of textures, tastes and flavours. Try it and see for yourself.



Next up is Menu Please's signature Oriental Duck pizza.



Taste wise this innovative pizza has everything - the sweetness of the tangerine with a tinge of tanginess, and different sorts of savouriness from the smoked duck, melted cheese and char siew gravy. There was also a herbal fragrance from the basil leaf garnishing.



Texture wise, it was also interesting. Juicy spongy tangerine, tender duck with some fat, gooey gummy melted cheese on a thin crusty handmade pizza base.

I enjoyed this interesting pizza even though I am not a pizza fan.



The second main course was Menu Please's top selling braised lamb shank. This was my second time having the lamb shank at Menu Please, and I am still looking forward to it.



The meat was braised so tender that it fell off the bone like a coat dropping off a stiff hanger. The tender meat was rich. The gaminess and aroma of lamb which mutton fans love was only subtly present.



Finally, the Cake of the Day was this durian cake. It's a sponge cake with creamy real durian between the soft spongy layers.

To go with the cake, the Set Meal comes with two hot or cold drinks.

I think this set is ideal for couples - the dishes are tasty and interesting, and the amount of food is just nice for two people.



Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013, 1 Nov 2013

Jayson the boss of Menu Please Bistro invited me to try their "Signature Dishes Sharing Set Meal". The idea is for two persons to share a set consisting of a pair of Menu Please's signature dishes. Jayson let me try "Set D" with the Oriental Duck Pizza and Braised Lamb Shank as the main courses. The Set D costs RM65.80 nett.



That's Jayson the boss, on the right taking orders. Co-incidentally, that's my friend Jason and his family :D



Jayson is a SHATEC graduate and he had worked in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands Hotel before returning to JB to set up Menu Please Bistro.

Let's start our dinner.



The opening course is a choice of either the Soup of the Day or a salad. As I had tried Menu Please's tomato soup during my previous visit, Jayson let me try the salad.

Jayson's willingness to experiment is reflected in this salad. The jumble of shredded carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, fried tofu and beansprouts is stuffed in a glass jar. At the bottom of the jar is a tangy, spicy, drippy Thai sauce and on top is a paste-like peanutty, sweet and savoury satay sauce. The idea is to screw on the jar cover, and then mix and blend everything by shaking the jar vigorously. Pour out and serve on a plate after mixing.

It's an interesting mix of textures, tastes and flavours. Try it and see for yourself.



Next up is Menu Please's signature Oriental Duck pizza.



Taste wise this innovative pizza has everything - the sweetness of the tangerine with a tinge of tanginess, and different sorts of savouriness from the smoked duck, melted cheese and char siew gravy. There was also a herbal fragrance from the basil leaf garnishing.



Texture wise, it was also interesting. Juicy spongy tangerine, tender duck with some fat, gooey gummy melted cheese on a thin crusty handmade pizza base.

I enjoyed this interesting pizza even though I am not a pizza fan.



The second main course was Menu Please's top selling braised lamb shank. This was my second time having the lamb shank at Menu Please, and I am still looking forward to it.



The meat was braised so tender that it fell off the bone like a coat dropping off a stiff hanger. The tender meat was rich. The gaminess and aroma of lamb which mutton fans love was only subtly present.



Finally, the Cake of the Day was this durian cake. It's a sponge cake with creamy real durian between the soft spongy layers.

To go with the cake, the Set Meal comes with two hot or cold drinks.

I think this set is ideal for couples - the dishes are tasty and interesting, and the amount of food is just nice for two people.



Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013, 1 Nov 2013

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Western Food and Pizzas at Menu Please Bistro near Plaza Pelangi in Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru

Jayson, the boss of newly opened Menu Please Bistro which offers casual Western dining in Taman Maju Jaya (near Plaza Pelangi), invited me to try his Western dishes and pizzas. 



The interior of Menu Please Bistro is simple and neat. Customers dine in air con comfort and with soft, easy listening tunes in the background.

Jayson is a SHATEC (Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre) graduate. Jayson had worked for 7 years in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands before returning to Johor Bahru to open his own restaurant last year.


Braised Beef Cheek RM26.80.

When Jayson told me that Menu Please serves braised beef cheeks, I immediately jumped at it as this is one of my favourite beef dishes. Jayson shared that Menu Please's beef cheeks are braised in beef stock with ingredients such as carrots, potatoes and onions for hours until all the vegetables are dissolved. 



The hours of braising in slow fire turned the huge chunk of lean meat with layers of gelatin in between into a smooth, soft and gummy treat. The lean meat became like a savoury soft meat loaf while the gelatin turned to gummy jelly.  



All those hours of slow heat dissolved the sinews, gelatin, carrots, potatoes, and onions that blended into a marvellous savoury gravy. It was so beefy good, I felt really guilty about wasting any of it. Happily, Menu Please's beef cheeks come with a large stick of focaccia bread which was handy in wiping the plate squeaky clean of the savoury gravy.



Jayson told me that Menu Please's beef cheeks are loved by some customers while others are less excited about it. As for me, I am very pleased with Menu Please's braised beef cheeks and highly recommend it to beef lovers.


Sesame Duck Salad RM9.80.

Jayson let me try Menu Please's Sesame Duck Salad which he shared is popular among customers.



The salad is made with thin slices of smoked duck on a bed of fresh lettuce, onions, carrots, tomatoes and tangerines showered with sesame sauce.



The slices of smoked duck are eaten with Menu Please's house blended dip which was inspired by traditional "char siew" sauce.



Personally, as I like the smokey, creamy flavour of smoked duck, I prefer to eat it on its own with a squeeze of tangerine, without any dip.


Otiental Potato Cakes with Tamarind Dip RM8.80. 

I had Menu Please's Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip.



The cake was made with mashed potatoes and minced crab stick. The cakes were nicely fried with the skin outside crispy while the steaming hot inside was soft.





The potato cakes are eaten with the special dip that tasted salty and tangy as it was made with plum juice and tamarind.




Tomato Soup RM7.80.

I tried Menu Please's tomato soup. It was full bodied and had that nice sweet and slightly tangy tomato flavour.

As usual, I asked for permission to visit the kitchen :P



Chef Anthony stirring the pot of braised lamb shanks, another of Menu Please's signature dishes which I must come back for. 

Jayson was also eager for me to try Menu Please's handmade pizzas but there was simply no more room in my tummy.

So, my next trip to Menu Please Bistro is already planned. I can't wait to try their lamb shank and handmade pizzas next time.

One last word, beef lovers! Menu Please's beef cheek is a Must Try!





Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013

Jayson, the boss of newly opened Menu Please Bistro which offers casual Western dining in Taman Maju Jaya (near Plaza Pelangi), invited me to try his Western dishes and pizzas. 



The interior of Menu Please Bistro is simple and neat. Customers dine in air con comfort and with soft, easy listening tunes in the background.

Jayson is a SHATEC (Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre) graduate. Jayson had worked for 7 years in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands before returning to Johor Bahru to open his own restaurant last year.


Braised Beef Cheek RM26.80.

When Jayson told me that Menu Please serves braised beef cheeks, I immediately jumped at it as this is one of my favourite beef dishes. Jayson shared that Menu Please's beef cheeks are braised in beef stock with ingredients such as carrots, potatoes and onions for hours until all the vegetables are dissolved. 



The hours of braising in slow fire turned the huge chunk of lean meat with layers of gelatin in between into a smooth, soft and gummy treat. The lean meat became like a savoury soft meat loaf while the gelatin turned to gummy jelly.  



All those hours of slow heat dissolved the sinews, gelatin, carrots, potatoes, and onions that blended into a marvellous savoury gravy. It was so beefy good, I felt really guilty about wasting any of it. Happily, Menu Please's beef cheeks come with a large stick of focaccia bread which was handy in wiping the plate squeaky clean of the savoury gravy.



Jayson told me that Menu Please's beef cheeks are loved by some customers while others are less excited about it. As for me, I am very pleased with Menu Please's braised beef cheeks and highly recommend it to beef lovers.


Sesame Duck Salad RM9.80.

Jayson let me try Menu Please's Sesame Duck Salad which he shared is popular among customers.



The salad is made with thin slices of smoked duck on a bed of fresh lettuce, onions, carrots, tomatoes and tangerines showered with sesame sauce.



The slices of smoked duck are eaten with Menu Please's house blended dip which was inspired by traditional "char siew" sauce.



Personally, as I like the smokey, creamy flavour of smoked duck, I prefer to eat it on its own with a squeeze of tangerine, without any dip.


Otiental Potato Cakes with Tamarind Dip RM8.80. 

I had Menu Please's Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip.



The cake was made with mashed potatoes and minced crab stick. The cakes were nicely fried with the skin outside crispy while the steaming hot inside was soft.





The potato cakes are eaten with the special dip that tasted salty and tangy as it was made with plum juice and tamarind.




Tomato Soup RM7.80.

I tried Menu Please's tomato soup. It was full bodied and had that nice sweet and slightly tangy tomato flavour.

As usual, I asked for permission to visit the kitchen :P



Chef Anthony stirring the pot of braised lamb shanks, another of Menu Please's signature dishes which I must come back for. 

Jayson was also eager for me to try Menu Please's handmade pizzas but there was simply no more room in my tummy.

So, my next trip to Menu Please Bistro is already planned. I can't wait to try their lamb shank and handmade pizzas next time.

One last word, beef lovers! Menu Please's beef cheek is a Must Try!





Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013

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Ayam Penyet at Restoran Zona Ayam Penyet, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru

Zona Ayam Penyet was often mentioned in Johor Sedap Facebook Group discussions, so we decided to drop by and give it a try, yesterday.



Restoran Zona is located on a second floor unit, along Jalan Maju just opposite the MacDonald's outlet in Plaza Pelangi.



There were three of us, so we had a chicken drumstick, a chicken breast and an ikan kerisi. I wanted pecel lele (catfish) but it was sold out. Total bill with soft drinks was just over RM25.



Ayam Penyet fans would object that this isn't ayam penyet as it was not smashed. Also missing were the crispy batter crumb toppings, to the annoyance of ayam penyet purists. But, even ayam purists would agree that this fried chicken was well executed and tasty.



Wrapped in very thin batter, it was crispy on the outside, and still tender and moist inside. I like this really, as average ayam penyet is often too dry for my liking (I can hear the howls of protests from the ayam penyet purists.)



The anaemic looking sambal chili also failed in the eyes of ayam penyet fans as it was supposed to be red, stinging spicy, and mixed with savoury anchovies. At Zona, the sambal was made with green chilies and various pulpy ingredients like unions. Again, I liked this mildly spicy sambal chili while my companions felt it was a let down with no kick.



But, we all agreed that this well executed fried ikan kerisi was the best of the three dishes we tried at Zona.



Crispy outside, tender and moist inside. Fresh and no fishiness at all.



This photogenic tempeh was rather tasteless by itself but it was delicious when dipped in the mild sambal chili. The same comments went for the small piece of fried tofu.

The fried dishes were served with simple, boiled white rice and a small bowl of soup. There was, well, nothing in the clear soup, just a slight salty taste.



There is also this interesting section of kumpang style seating i.e. low tables and no chairs. Customers sit crossed legged on the raised wooden flooring. Customers are also required to leave their shoes at the door.

I have not qualms recommending Restoran Zona to anyone, except ayam penyet purists :)

Restaurant name: Restoran Zona Ayam Penyet 
Address: 1A-1, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qt7ME
GPS: 1.480682,103.764989
Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 20 Feb 2013

Zona Ayam Penyet was often mentioned in Johor Sedap Facebook Group discussions, so we decided to drop by and give it a try, yesterday.



Restoran Zona is located on a second floor unit, along Jalan Maju just opposite the MacDonald's outlet in Plaza Pelangi.



There were three of us, so we had a chicken drumstick, a chicken breast and an ikan kerisi. I wanted pecel lele (catfish) but it was sold out. Total bill with soft drinks was just over RM25.



Ayam Penyet fans would object that this isn't ayam penyet as it was not smashed. Also missing were the crispy batter crumb toppings, to the annoyance of ayam penyet purists. But, even ayam purists would agree that this fried chicken was well executed and tasty.



Wrapped in very thin batter, it was crispy on the outside, and still tender and moist inside. I like this really, as average ayam penyet is often too dry for my liking (I can hear the howls of protests from the ayam penyet purists.)



The anaemic looking sambal chili also failed in the eyes of ayam penyet fans as it was supposed to be red, stinging spicy, and mixed with savoury anchovies. At Zona, the sambal was made with green chilies and various pulpy ingredients like unions. Again, I liked this mildly spicy sambal chili while my companions felt it was a let down with no kick.



But, we all agreed that this well executed fried ikan kerisi was the best of the three dishes we tried at Zona.



Crispy outside, tender and moist inside. Fresh and no fishiness at all.



This photogenic tempeh was rather tasteless by itself but it was delicious when dipped in the mild sambal chili. The same comments went for the small piece of fried tofu.

The fried dishes were served with simple, boiled white rice and a small bowl of soup. There was, well, nothing in the clear soup, just a slight salty taste.



There is also this interesting section of kumpang style seating i.e. low tables and no chairs. Customers sit crossed legged on the raised wooden flooring. Customers are also required to leave their shoes at the door.

I have not qualms recommending Restoran Zona to anyone, except ayam penyet purists :)

Restaurant name: Restoran Zona Ayam Penyet 
Address: 1A-1, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qt7ME
GPS: 1.480682,103.764989
Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 20 Feb 2013

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Sin Hock Guan 新福源 Mee Pok Tah @ Kakilang Coffee Shop in Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Whenever I am at any food court and could not find anything that I fancy, mee pok tah always comes to my rescue, and has never failed me. My daughter who was away in school for four years, came home and the food she misses is mee pok tah. And, I have friends who keep asking me the same question, "Where to find good mee pok tah in Johor Bahru"?

I found a good one, Kiang Kee in Taman Permas Jaya, and today I found another, Sin Hock Guan 新福源 in Taman Maju Jaya.

See that large block of ice used to keep the bean sprouts fresh?
It is details like this that make the difference.



Mdm Lim beaming with quiet confident pride

Sin Hock Guan 新福源 is run by a husband and wife team, the Lims, for the past 60 years. Mdm Lim cooks this traditional Teochew comfort food the same way she had been doing for the last 6 decades. It takes that special feel and expertise that can only come with years of experience to produce that characteristic QQ texture (al dente) in the noodles.

The QQ mee pok noodles were saturated with the spicy and slightly tangy sauce.

For RM6, we get a bowl of mee pok noodles in spicy sauce and a bowl of flavourful pork soup loaded with pork, liver, shrimps, handmade fish balls, fish dumplings and greens.

This is the favourite item that Sin Hock Guan's loyal following raves about. The super smooth and tender fresh handmade fish dumpling or hee kiaw 鱼饺 - not the rough and coarse kind we often get elsewhere. I don't know where else to find hee kiaw 鱼饺 this good.

Sin Hock Guan 新福源, old style mee pok tah prepared and served with the same pride and dedication for the last 60 years.

Ms Peggy Loh of the New Straits Times has written a nice article about the Lims' beautiful story. (The Lims have 8 grandchildren today J)


Restaurant name: Sin Hock Guan 新福源 (stall inside Kakilang coffee shop)
Address: Jalan Abiad 1, Taman Maju Jaya
Map: http://g.co/maps/hjzm5
GPS: 1.482528,103.767108
Hours: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 12 Jun 2012

Whenever I am at any food court and could not find anything that I fancy, mee pok tah always comes to my rescue, and has never failed me. My daughter who was away in school for four years, came home and the food she misses is mee pok tah. And, I have friends who keep asking me the same question, "Where to find good mee pok tah in Johor Bahru"?

I found a good one, Kiang Kee in Taman Permas Jaya, and today I found another, Sin Hock Guan 新福源 in Taman Maju Jaya.

See that large block of ice used to keep the bean sprouts fresh?
It is details like this that make the difference.



Mdm Lim beaming with quiet confident pride

Sin Hock Guan 新福源 is run by a husband and wife team, the Lims, for the past 60 years. Mdm Lim cooks this traditional Teochew comfort food the same way she had been doing for the last 6 decades. It takes that special feel and expertise that can only come with years of experience to produce that characteristic QQ texture (al dente) in the noodles.

The QQ mee pok noodles were saturated with the spicy and slightly tangy sauce.

For RM6, we get a bowl of mee pok noodles in spicy sauce and a bowl of flavourful pork soup loaded with pork, liver, shrimps, handmade fish balls, fish dumplings and greens.

This is the favourite item that Sin Hock Guan's loyal following raves about. The super smooth and tender fresh handmade fish dumpling or hee kiaw 鱼饺 - not the rough and coarse kind we often get elsewhere. I don't know where else to find hee kiaw 鱼饺 this good.

Sin Hock Guan 新福源, old style mee pok tah prepared and served with the same pride and dedication for the last 60 years.

Ms Peggy Loh of the New Straits Times has written a nice article about the Lims' beautiful story. (The Lims have 8 grandchildren today J)


Restaurant name: Sin Hock Guan 新福源 (stall inside Kakilang coffee shop)
Address: Jalan Abiad 1, Taman Maju Jaya
Map: http://g.co/maps/hjzm5
GPS: 1.482528,103.767108
Hours: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 12 Jun 2012

reade more... Résuméabuiyad